Hardenhuish School Dinners Win Gold

16th May 2018

Hardenhuish School is celebrating after having been awarded the Eat Out Eat Well Gold certificate last week.

The award, which is assessed and managed by Wiltshire Council’s Public Protection service, was developed to encourage food outlets to provide healthier options by increasing fruit, vegetables and starchy carbohydrates, and decreasing fat, sugar and salt in the food that they offer.

To obtain the award, the school’s in-house catering company, Manor Catering, has been trying to change perceptions and attitudes surrounding school lunches. They have worked hard to source fresh seasonal produce, lean meats, free range eggs and have tailored their menus to contain lower quantities of salt and oil. Some of the dishes available to pupils include vegetable cake and a salad bar in which low fat mayonnaise is always used.

To gain the prestigious Gold award, the school had to undergo rigorous assessments that looked at, not only the healthy meal options offered to pupils, but also how food is cooked and how it is marketed. It also recognised the members of staff who have all been trained in nutrition.

Mr Mark Langley, Catering Manager at Hardenhuish School said “Schools can make a huge contribution to improving young people’s diet and health by providing healthier food choices. Our pupils and staff are now able to benefit from having the freedom to select a healthy option and more control over what they eat, and ultimately, their health. In addition, there has been an increase in customer satisfaction as the demand for healthier choices continues to grow.”